Sunday, August 3, 2008

I've worked hard at keeping this blog about what I started blogging for in the first place. It was a venue for sending 5 less long rambly emails in a week and posting pictures.

It's grown a bit from that and I've met some awesome people.

For the most part, I don't check my site meter for any reason other than finding out how people get to my blog. I'm cautious about people doing pervy searches and landing on my blog. So far, so good.

Then I started noticing lots of places where I don't know anyone, looking. And I got curious. So without calling it a national delurking day or some other made up day, I asked people to say hi.

Thank you Jamie and Jennifer. My ONLY TWO DELURKERS. I was gone from the webernets for a long time too.

sigh

I do have a bunch of questions that I want to answer before too much more time passes and then it will just be weird for me to start answering questions people asked 6 months ago.

I'm just going to list the questions and answer them. I should say who asked them and link to them, but I just got knocked out 4 times in a boxing match with my husband. I'm so tired.

1. If you had the opportunity and the money was OK, would you ever provide day care for someone else's children?

Maybe. Depends on children, their parents, and my circumstances. I just watched a friends newborn for 2 months, 3 days a week and he was a perfect baby, I knew I was doing her a big favor, and I knew there was an end in sight. Too many parents are not respectful of your time, not honest with money, and not good parents---and I'm not interested in cleaning up other people's messes while I'm busy making my own. In general---little to no interest in providing childcare.

2. Are you planning on having any more kids?

Yes. When we were first married, we wanted lots of children. Then we had one and realized how much work it is. I am sure I want at least one more. If I were 5 years younger, I'd probably want two more. J, on most days, would like to be done---but I think we both feel pretty sure that we want one more---in time. In time.

3.If Publishers Clearing House came to your door with $10,000,000, what's the first thing you would want to do with the money?

First I thought that was ten thousand. And then I was like, "Why waste my time man?" Then I realized it was 10 million.First thing would be, invest whatever it took so that if I went an blew it in a week, whatever was invested would be enough to support us so J wouldn't have to work again. I love having him home, I love hanging out with him, and he has so many dreams and ideas that having independent wealth could make happen. I'm sure there would be a lot of 3rd world country work involved, living in different countries to experience their cultures and learn their languages. I would love to go visit my friends in Australia. There would be lots of traveling, lots of fresh sushi.

And we'd probably move to Texas.

4.Ben and Jerry's or Pho?

Possibly the hardest question posed. I mean, that's like saying, Bo or Avee? Which is funny because Bo was named after the ice cream and Avee would eat Pho 3 meals a day if she could.

I'd probably choose Pho because I could actually live off of that healthily. Whereas, Ben and Jerry's would make me a Dateline Special. Just general taste preference--Ben and Jerry's. All.the.way.

5. If a girl with an English accent came to stay with you, what would you make her say?

"Near here". I love how English girls say "Neeyahheeyah".

6. Jamie, you didn't ask a question for me, but thanks for delurking, and next time, come to GNO. You will see a 5'11 girl who should not be contorting, turn into a contortionist. Few people can make me laugh as hard as Kiki can.

7. Are both your computer and your phone dying?

Not for the reasons you called me out on, but yes, our phone service is junk. We tried the VOIP thing with a local company and I hate it. When I happened to be talking to the company about another problem, they said, "Oh, your phone shouldn't be doing that, you should always call when stuff like that happens." Well actually, what I would like is a phone service where I don't have to call in every other day and wait on hold for 20 minutes to be told it will be taken care of in 10 days all while I'm paying you for crappy service.

Thank you for asking.

8. What is your favorite drink?Cherry coke. It is my weakness. I love it to the very cherry molecules that make it perfect. But I really do try to stay away because I know it's not good for my body. And my body is my money maker so I have to take care of it. Wait. What?

9. What do you love the most about me?The thing I love most about you is how funny you are in your writing. :) You make me laugh every time I read. No pressure. I lie. The thing I love the MOST about you is that you taught me the phrase, "Food Network is like p0rn for fat people." I also think you are one of the nicest people I know.

10. If you could turn back time, what album would you NOT buy?

I really didn't think I could answer this question, but as I was rereading it for this post, one popped into my head. It was a Tori Amos album. I was 18 and living on my own for the first time. I found a review on it in a magazine my roommate had. The review raved about it. So I went and bought it. It disturbed me. I was young, naive, innocent, pure, and religious. And she talked about some crazy stuff and some distorted things about God. I'm sure it was all deep and metaphorical and whatnot, but at the time, it disturbed me. I bet now, it wouldn't. And I do like her voice. But that experience sort of just turned me off.

11. Hello again to "Sabins"! I would rather have Britney as my mom. Because uh, I wouldn't have to be alone with her, you know, with supervised visitations and all. Plus, maybe I could meet Dr. Phil.

12. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?In general, I don't care for cereal or most breakfast foods. Unless they are deep fat fried and smothered in chocolate. But, I do like Honey Bunches of Oats the most.

13. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be? Australia, Canada, New York. I actually don't care about the destination, I would just want it to be all expense paid with really nice accomodations.

14. What object would you most love to buy to put in your home right now?Hmmmmmmmm. I don't really have anything. I guess probably a new bedroom set. But if I had the money for that, I'd probably want to spend it on something else. Like, a trip to New York or something. :)

15. For what in your life are you most grateful.To be married to J.

16. If you were at a dinner party and were offered a dish you had never tried, would you want to taste it even if it sounded strange and not appealing?Yes. I'll try pretty much anything once. Not a big fan of innards or excessive raw stuff, but I'll try anything.

17. Whom do you admire most? In what way does this person inspire you?That's hard because if you are my friend, there's something I admire about you and some way that you inspire me. That's sort of a requirement to be my friend. I think I'd probably have to say my friend (and friend's mom) Anita. She is an incredible mom, wife, friend, photographer, and many many other things. I couldn't summarize in even one blogpost why I admire her. She has inspired me to be a good mom, wife, and friend by how she's lived. She's given me life-changing advice at different times in my life, she has always supported me in whatever I've done, she's always happy to see me, she makes me feel like a superstar no matter what I'm doing or where I am in life. I haven't actually talked to her in over a year but I think about how she would do something or things she's told/taught me and I still use them as a guide for myself.She also doesn't read my blog. So like, I'm not earning any points here.

18. What would constitute a "perfect" evening for you? I'm so torn right now. I love uninterrupted time with J but I love being with my kids too. I guess a peaceful, fit-free evening with my kids and J---a yummy dinner that I didn't have to cook or clean up, a good movie or tv on dvd, and someone else to bathe the kids. I also really like hanging out with friends. Its just that kids get in the way of that. But I really like my kids...

19. If you could change one thing about the way you were raised, what would it be?Uhhhhhh, not a single solitary thing. Hi Mom!There are some things I would change but I also believe the things I experienced have made me who I am. And I love who I am---so not sure what I'd do. Oh, I know. I would have changed my parent's willingness to let me get involved in extracurricular activities. I am the 8th of 9. My parents were tired by the time I hit high school. But I would have liked to have done sports or acting or debate, or any number of things, but my mom wasn't interested in toting me around and I wasn't secure enough to just do it and figure the rest out.

20. What do you value most in a relationship? What I value is trust. What I enjoy is humor. I also need depth. It has to go past a certain point in conversations or I get bored and disenchanted.

21. What things are too personal to discuss with others? Hmmm, I'm pretty much an open book. I have friends that aren't, and with them it's usually, marriage and money. I don't know that there's anything I won't talk about.Have I shown you my birth mark?

22. What do you like best about your life?My marriage and those stinky little kids. The least? Hmmm, probably inheriting my dad's big bones. I mean, big bones can only account for so much, but they sure aren't helping the situation.

23. Would you be willing to eat a bowl of live crickets for $50,000?Probably

24. If you were guaranteed honest responses to any 3 questions, who would you question and what would you ask?1. Are those Bugle Boys you're wearing?2. Is that Grey Poupon?3. Omar, would you REALLY buy us a shiny new computer if you won 10 million dollars?

25. Are you ever going to write a book?

My brain itches to write something, but so far it hasn't come up with anything worth compiling.

26. Your favorite time of the day?Evening. It's quiet, no kids ringing the doorbell, relaxing, I can blog or watch tv or read or talk to J without interruption.

27. Would you ever by your 4 yr old Pokemon cards?I probably would have bought my 4 year old Pokemon cards because I was really bad about having control and moderation when it came to my kids---until just a few months ago. After going through all their toys about 5 times since we moved here, and getting rid of SO MUCH STUFF and it barely making a dent, I realized they had too much and it was my fault. I've gotten better. But, a few months ago when Bo was still 4---I wasn't so good.I have told Bo that I will not buy him Pokemon cards with my money. But he can buy as much as he wants with his money. He has purchased 3 packs with his own money. He's out of money now, and so this morning he said that J and I had to pay him $15 to go to church. Interestingly enough, $15 is how much a tin of Pokemon cards costs.

28. Are you coming to visit me?I would LOVE to go to Australia AJ---see above. :) (the winning of 10 mil would have to happen first)

Okay, I think I answered everything. I wonder how many people made it to the end.

I OWN that freaky Tori Amos CD too!!!! I only like one song on it and the rest is just weird.

I just downloaded 3 of her newer songs from itunes the other day. I've noticed that she'll make an unlistenable CD and then in between she'll make some amazing music and then revert back to crazy sheet again. Maybe that's what it takes to purge the "creative" mind? I don't know. Look for "A Sort Of Fairytale" on youtube. It's a fantastic song! The video is odd though. It features Adrien Brody in it. "Taxi Ride" and "Sleeps With Butterflies" are also very pretty.

My Mexican Papi has already declared that we will NEVER move away from Texas. I think its mostly because they don't bother homeschooling parents here and they uphold the 2nd amendment without a lot of fuss. I would like to move more North than Houston one day though. Crap. It is so hot and humid here.

I watched the baby of a couple that worked with Papi about 10 years ago. I decided right then and there that I would rather throw a million newspapers every day to pay my bills than provide child care again. The baby was sweet. It was the parents that were irritating.

Cherry Coke addicts unite!!!!!

We'll have to investigate to see if Oregon has a soda fountain somewhere to indulge our superior palates. :)

I started reading this post at like, 5:45 a.m. It's pushing 2 p.m. now, and I just finished. The least I can do is provide you with a wordy comment in response. Here goes:

You were the 8th of 9 kids?! That's some interesting Nobo trivia. What number was S?

Your fourth kid is now my favorite. I'm going to go ahead and nickname her Cat. That's right, I said "her." And you're like, "why Cat?" It's a rough English pronunciation of "quatre," four in French. Exotic. It would be a double-meaning if you named her something like, "Catherine." So if you could do that, it would be great.

To answer your question of me, I could say with 100% certainty that I would consider it.

I made it to the end!!! Nobody you are the greatest and I just love you and miss you so much, especialy your suprised laugh.... when someone says something unexpected. After your comment on my page, I NKOTB mega fan had some choice words for me.....I just about peed. Did you sic her on me?

Jamie-it was totally a shout-out. If I was talking this post instead of writing it, I totally would have shouted that part about you.

Tori-Absolutely.

EWL-I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought the CD was weird. Thanks for the music recommendations, I like the Fairytale one. I really do like her voice a lot.

And it's totally the parents that ruin the childcare avenue for the rest of us. And FOUNTAIN Cherry Coke is the BEST. We have a date!

MommyJ-Thanks. :)

Millie-you being there is better than any ready supply of Cherry Coke.

Omar--we have a wonderful computer program that helps people read faster. You may be interested.Actually, you made me lol.S is #7. While she's proud to be the 7th, she often lies about whether or not her 7 comes before my 8. But we all know...

4th Kid is sure lucky. Already a favorite and nowhere near making an appearance.Avee's middle name is the name you suggested. But with a K. Like you really care. But K vs C is important to those with the name. Or in this case, those giving the name.

Beckie---I couldn't have planned that NKOTB fan if I had TRIED. That was good comedy for me.

Lauren--welcome! All you have to do is say I'm funny and you're totally my bff.

Sketchy--Your first part made me laugh out loud. And "gypsy existence" has me intrigued. I'm cautious not to assume that Texas is for everyone, but it's definitely for us. And Tori.

For all you non-pho-knowers:Pho is a Vietnamese soup made with beef or chicken broth and various kinds of meats (all or none) and rice noodles. When it is served to you, you also get a plate of fresh bean sprouts, a few fresh leaves of basil, cilantro, lemongrass, a few slices of jalepenos, half a lime, and uh, I think that's it. It's a staple around here. I can't go near it when I'm pregnant, but other than that, we have it about once a week. Which is totally limited to how often J would like to eat it.